Confused

Lockhart's voice echoed through the room, his frustration palpable.

"What? The manuscript was rejected?!"

In a fit of rage, he tore the letter into pieces. "This is shady!"

Over the years, rejection was nothing new to Lockhart. Yet, this time felt different. Rita Skeeter's recent article had slandered him, and his first instinct was to write a rebuttal.

But he hadn't even drafted one yet.

"Asshole! My manuscript was rejected for using vulgar words? Then how did Rita's article get approved?!"

His fury boiled over. Staying silent would mean conceding defeat. What about his fans? The credibility he had built?

"No! I have to sue that woman! I'll file a lawsuit for defamation! She's violated my reputation!"

His mind raced, recalling his colleagues' sneers and the odd glances from students. Not everyone believed the newspaper, but his reputation had taken a clear hit. The dwindling fan letters were proof enough.

Meanwhile, in the Room of Requirement, Blake sat comfortably in an armchair, leisurely studying soul magic. A black-covered diary lay open before him, with a translucent, smoke-like soul floating above it—a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy's figure. It was the remnant soul of Voldemort, suspended in the air, eyes tightly shut, motionless as Blake prodded it with his wand.

Blake's golden eyes shimmered as he observed the soul with his Reality Vision. The Ruyi Wand had been able to heal the Longbottoms, yet he remained fascinated by the mechanics of the soul.

"A remnant soul... but it looks complete. Why is that? I thought it would only be a fraction."

Blake mused, then raised his wand, sending a red light toward Tom's soul. Instantly, its form altered—one part grew solid while the other faded.

"Interesting... Could it be that the faded part is the missing portion of the remnant soul, while the solidified section is its true essence?" He stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Like a jar filled with water—appearing whole because of the jar's structure, even if some water is missing. And when I apply magic, the soul reveals its fragmented state."

Taking notes, Blake was interrupted when Tom's floating form stirred. The boy's eyes flickered open, confusion morphing into anger as he registered his surroundings.

"What did you do to me?!"

Blake shut his notebook with a calm smile. "Great scientific research."

"Science? What science?!"

"Alright, let's simplify it—I'm studying wizard souls, particularly incomplete ones. And you, my friend, are selflessly contributing to my research."

"WHAT?!" Tom's outrage flared. "Selfless? You mean I'm your experiment!"

A system notification chimed:

Ding! Extremely angry emotion detected!

Ding! Congratulations! A golden treasure chest has been obtained!

Blake, unfazed, flicked his wand, making Tom flip in the air like a floating ragdoll.

"No need to be so angry, Tom. See? I've experimented on you so many times, yet you're still intact."

Tom's eyes narrowed. "Wait… You've experimented on me multiple times? But you only picked up the diary today—"

Realization dawned. "You… you used the Obliviate Curse on me?!"

He hurled expletives, his fury generating yet another golden treasure chest for Blake. Leaning back in his chair, Blake twirled his wand lazily, smirking.

"Have you finished? Honestly, your talent for insults pales in comparison to your magical abilities. It's disappointing, really. A true master of magic shouldn't waste time on petty curses."

Tom seethed, unleashing another verbal tirade. But after a while, his voice faded—not because he had run out of things to say, but because Blake… had fallen asleep.

The system chimed again:

Ding! Extremely angry emotion detected!

Ding! Congratulations! A golden treasure chest has been obtained!

Blake, stirred awake by the notification, rubbed his eyes. "Oh, you're still here? You done? I was going to sleep after your rant."

"You—!"

With a casual flick, Blake shoved Tom's soul back into the diary before he could finish. The moment Tom returned, furious scribbles filled the diary's pages—mostly expletives, which Blake ignored.

Raising his wand, he muttered, "Obliviate."

The diary fell silent.

Tucking it into his storage, Blake chuckled. "Thanks for your service, Tom. My understanding of soul magic has deepened."

Stretching, he decided it was time to visit St. Mungo's.

Later, as Blake walked toward his dormitory, a dark figure blocked his path. Snape stood before him, his expression thunderous, eyes practically burning with rage.

"Oh, hello, Severus. Looking for me?"

"Don't call me Severus!" Snape snapped. "Was the Lockhart revelation in the newspaper your doing?"

Blake grinned. "Guilty as charged. What's the problem, Severus? Planning to file a complaint on Lockhart's behalf?"

"Damn it, Blake! I don't care what you did to him, but why did you drag me into this?!"

The newspaper's description of Lockhart's victim had been eerily similar to Snape. Since then, the pitying looks from his colleagues, the whispers among students—Snape had endured it all.

"I've seen the way they look at me! The students who once feared me now gaze at me with sympathy!"

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Ah… Well, would you believe me if I said it was an accident?"

Snape glared. "Should I?"

"Ackerman Allen was the model for the photo—he's just a faceless stand-in. It's not my fault his outfit and demeanor resemble yours. Mere coincidence!"

"Coincidence, my foot!" Snape growled. "This isn't over. You owe me for my damaged reputation!"

"What do you want?" Blake crossed his arms.

Snape smirked. "More money. Increase my share of the dividends."

Blake squinted. "So you're just using this as an excuse to ask for a raise, huh?"

Despite Snape's feigned anger, the system remained silent. A clear sign.

"Nonsense! This is compensation for my suffering."

Blake stared at him for a long moment, then finally said, "Fine, I'll give it to you."

Snape's lips curled in triumph—until Blake added, "Actually… isn't there a possibility that if I marry your daughter in the future, all the money you've saved from me will ultimately still belong to me?"

Snape: "...!!!"

=============

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